YEAR 3

What a great start to 2025 year 3 have had! Here is a summary of their learning over the last couple of weeks!

Year 3's writing journey, inspired by the hilarious "There's a Pharaoh in Our Bath," has come to a triumphant conclusion! Over the past few weeks, the children have immersed themselves in the story, exploring the characters, the plot, and the general mayhem of having an ancient Egyptian ruler suddenly appear in your bathroom. They've honed their descriptive writing skills, crafting vivid scenes of the pharaoh's unexpected arrival and the chaos that ensues. They've also delved into the art of narrative, recounting the children's frantic attempts to keep their unusual house guest a secret. The culmination of this exciting project saw each student step into the shoes of one of the children from the book, crafting and delivering persuasive speeches. Imagine the scene: each child channelling their inner character, passionately arguing their case to their "parents" (played by their classmates, of course!). They employed a range of persuasive techniques, from emotional appeals and rhetorical questions to carefully constructed arguments, all in an effort to convince their parents to, well, what exactly? Perhaps to let the pharaoh stay? To help him return to his own time? The creativity and enthusiasm on display were truly inspiring. The children's ability to embody their chosen character and deliver such compelling speeches was a testament to their hard work and imaginative engagement with the story. We're incredibly proud of all their efforts and the fantastic pieces of persuasive writing they produced. Look out for some excerpts in the next newsletter!

Year 3's exploration of Ancient Egypt has reached a fascinating conclusion with their in-depth study of Egyptian social hierarchy. Having previously delved into various aspects of this ancient civilisation, including their daily life, religious beliefs, and impressive architectural achievements, the children have now gained a deeper understanding of the power structures that shaped Egyptian society. This final piece of the puzzle has illuminated how the Pharaoh, considered both a god and king, maintained absolute control over the land and its people. The children have been exploring the different levels of society, from the powerful Pharaoh at the top, down through the priests, nobles, scribes, and artisans, to the farmers and slaves at the bottom. They have discussed the roles and responsibilities of each group, and how their position in the hierarchy affected their lives. Learning about the vizier, the Pharaoh's most trusted advisor, the high priests who held significant religious influence, and the scribes who were crucial for record-keeping, has provided a rich context for their understanding of Egyptian history. This exploration of social hierarchy has not only consolidated their previous learning but also provided a crucial framework for understanding the wider historical context. By understanding the distribution of power and influence, the children can now appreciate the complexities of Egyptian society and the Pharaoh's central role in it. This knowledge will undoubtedly serve as a strong foundation for their future historical studies. Well done, Year 3, on your impressive journey through Ancient Egypt!

To end this amazing half term of hard work, year 3 had an amazing trip to the Natural History Museum in London! Year 3 embarked on their exciting adventure, immersing themselves in the wonders of the natural world. Their day was packed with exploration, beginning with a fascinating look at the often-misunderstood world of 'Creepy Crawlies'. The children were captivated by the diverse range of insects and invertebrates, learning about their habitats, behaviours, and importance to the ecosystem. Next, they delved into the ancient past, examining incredible 'Fossils' and imagining the creatures that roamed the Earth millions of years ago. A highlight for many was the 'Dinosaurs' exhibit, where they came face-to-face with colossal skeletons and learned about the reign of these magnificent reptiles. The dynamic forces of nature were also on display in the 'Earthquakes and Volcanoes' exhibit, where Year 3 learned about the science behind these powerful events and how they shape our planet. They were even able to have a go on the earthquake simulator replicating the Japanese earthquake in 2005. Finally, the children ventured outdoors to explore the museum's new dinosaur trail. This provided a chance to see life-sized dinosaur models in a natural setting, bringing their prehistoric learning to life. From the smallest insect to the largest dinosaur, Year 3 were truly amazed by all the exhibitions had to offer. The day was undoubtedly filled with discovery and wonder, leaving a lasting impression on the children. While their minds were buzzing with new knowledge, it's safe to say a well-deserved rest was in order after all that walking!

We wish you all a restful and well deserved break and welcome you back on Monday 24th February 2025!

Children are expected to complete the following: 

• At least 5 reads in their reading diary each week 

• Century is here! A piece of maths and English homework will be set every Thursday with a due date of the following Monday. The homework will appear at the bottom under 'assignments'. The pathway at the top is suggested additional work that can be worked through as and when but is not an expectation to be completed. 

• Times table rock stars does not have to be completed daily, but it is encouraged to practise as much as possible.

Children are not expected to do Century and Times Table Rockstars every evening at home, but little and often is ideal! Thank you for your support :)

Please note, the inside of the reading diaries have changed. There are dates on each page and a 'homework' section on the left hand side but please ignore these. Please see the image below of how to insert the reads into the new reading diaries.